2008 Hot Retirement Towns

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
w
ALMOST STRADDLING THE neo-traditional clapboard houses still public access is located every 500 feet. w
border of South Carolina and North has an air of the 1950s, and that suits Great beaches aside, what really
w
.
Carolina, Ocean Isle Beach is one of the residents just ﬁne. They are proud distinguishes Ocean Isle Beach from
R
etir
North Carolina’s southernmost barrier to be the antithesis of the wall-to-wall other barrier island towns? Maybe its
islands. Just over seven miles long, it is condominiums that have taken over the system of canals that run through-
ing t
a favorite of retirees searching for the out the island, connecting virtually
idyllic beach lifestyle. every home to the Intracoastal Water-
Located between the tourist mecca
“... the island community
way. This uncommon feature makes
of Myrtle Beach and the historic Ocean Isle beach perfect for boat own-
N
o
charm of Wilmington, little is known has preserved its small- ers, since most homes are equipped
about its early years, when it belonged with a dock.
ORTH
to a variety of people, none of whom
town ﬂavor, choosing
But Ocean Isle Beach isn’t too
had a clear direction for the island. quiet–at least it doesn’t have to be.
Until the 1950s, Ocean Isle was little
not to join the ranks
There is plenty to do besides the obvi-
more than a family getaway for those ous activities of lounging on the beach
who owned sprawling expanses of
of commercialized
and ﬁshing. At least 30 golf courses
C
ocean-front property. In 1953, Odell
Williamson purchased the entire
resorts. ...”
are nearby, and dozens more appear as
you near Myrtle Beach to the south.
island, incorporating it into the town Waterway and ocean-front dining at
AROLINA
of Ocean Isle Beach in 1959. so many other island towns. sunset, shopping in interesting little
Since then, the island community They’re proud, too, to be known boutiques and day trips to historic
has preserved its small-town ﬂavor, for the best beaches on the North sites are all enjoyable ways to pass the
choosing not to join the ranks of Carolina coast, where the warm waters time.
commercialized resorts dotting the of the Atlantic combine with a wide, Isn’t that why you came to the
Atlantic coast. The quaint village of sloping shoreline and where mandated beach in the ﬁrst place?
At A Glance
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Ocean Isle Beach, NC
om
Population: 504
Average Temp: 74 F
Average Age: 53
Nearest Hospital:
Brunswick Community Hospital
Nearest Major Airport:
Wilmington International
Airport
Ocean Isle Beach Info:
Brunswick Chamber
of Commerce
www.BrunswickCounty
Chamber.org
(800) 426-6644
SUZY KING- CALABASH PHOTOGRAPHY
www.RetiringToNorthCarolina.com I www.HotRetirementTowns.com I www.CoastalRetirementTowns.com
87_OceanIsleNC.indd 87 1/14/08 4:48:28 PM
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